How do people dress in the Icelandic summer? Locals and tourists alike need to know how to dress in Reykjavik in July and August. If you’re headed to the capital city, you also might be wondering how people dress in terms of fashion and going out.
If you’re trying to pack for your own trip to Reykjavik in the summer, read through this article to prepare for the best of Icelandic style, climate, and events.
CONTENTS:
- What is the climate in Reykjavik in July and August?
- Must-Have Packing List for Reykjavik in the Summer
- What Clothes to Pack for Summer in Iceland (considering climate)
- What Do You Wear in Reykjavik in the Summer (considering occasions)?
- The Catch-All: Your Perfect Lightweight Summer Cardigan
What is the climate in Reykjavik in July and August?
Summer in Reykjavik is moderate. Expect temperatures that hover between 55 and 75° F (10-24° C). The summer days are long, too. The longest day of the year (the summer solstice) offers just three hours of dusky twilight. The sun skips along the edge of the horizon before it comes right back up again.
There is no “one season fits all” attire to pack for a trip to Iceland, though, even with those temperatures. The weather can turn on a dime—a toasty, 75-degree day might dip down to 60 degrees hours later. Rain can come unexpectedly, too. The weather in Iceland is notoriously unpredictable, so it’s best to come prepared for every summer season possibility.
The summer months also mean there’s lots more to do in Reykjavik, so think about what clothes and you’ll want to pack for more shopping, more walking, more scootering and more time outdoors. Reykjavik is positively buzzing in the summer months.
This is how you come totally prepared for a summer trip to Reykjavik.
Must-Have Packing List for Reykjavik in the Summer
This list is not exhaustive. Depending on the day-to-day forecast and the activities you plan, you’ll learn more about specific pack in the following sections.
To get started, though, these are your core essentials for any trip to Iceland or Reykjavik in the summer:
- Breathable shirts with long sleeves
- A light jacket
- Lightweight sweaters
- Water-resistant boots
- An eye mask
If you’re surprised about that last item, remember that we’re talking about Reykjavik, the northernmost capital in Europe. The whole summer season is hallmarked by long days with little dusk. To get the best possible sleep, an eye mask is a must-have.
Remember: it’s not just the light coming into rooms that can keep people up. Solutions like black-out window coverings and eye masks can fix that. What also happens is that days seem to blur into one another without a resolute sense of nighttime. This can affect people’s biological clocks. It’s also harder to know what time of day it is, because it’s almost always light. Setting timers to get up in the morning is a must for most visitors.
What Clothes to Pack for Summer in Iceland (considering climate)
The name “Iceland” can be a little deceptive since the country has winters that are quite temperate. But what about Icelandic weather in the summer? Can a country called “Iceland” really get all that warm?
Temperatures in Reykjavik are comfortable and moderate during the day and can get a little brisk at night. With the enormous amount of sunlight during summer months, however, nighttime only makes up a few hours of the day. You’ll have as much as 20 hours of sunlight during the Midnight Sun.
Thinking about the cool evenings, you might ask, “do I need a coat?” The answer is yes. Even in the summer, the cool nights mean you should bring a coat, but your lightest one will be best. Icelanders usually wear an “inbetweener” like a light sweater or a very light jacket.
Light weight sweaters for summer come in handy when visiting malls too. It’s uncomfortable to move around shops in a big parka, so locals usually go for lightweight and breathable options.
Because the summer weather in Reykjavik is known to be fickle, it’s important to come prepared for rain. Reykjavik also gets windy. If you’ve just asked, “do I need rain pants?” The answer is, not necessarily. Waterproof boots are a must. In town, though, rain pants, rain jackets and rain boots aren’t as important since you’ll be in and out of buildings and cars.
Can you wear shorts in Reykjavik in the summer? This isn’t recommended. Yes, it can be comfortably warm during the day, but the wind can always bring a fresh gust when you least expect it. If you’re a fan of shorts, consider bringing pants with a zip-off.
Other garments that are perfect for Reykjavik in the summer include:
- A sweatshirt
- A set of nice, light sweaters
- A light men’s jacket or light jacket for women
- Softshell or raincoat jacket materials
What Do You Wear in Reykjavik in the Summer (considering occasions)?
Are you visiting Reykjavik for business or pleasure? Are you going with friends, family, or a partner? Whatever the occasion, you’ll want to consider the activities you’re planning. The occasions you want to pack for can alter your packing list considerably.
For example, most towns in Iceland have a swimming pool. Will you want to go for a summer swim during your visit? Plus, with the natural springs scattered around the country, a swimsuit might make the difference between admiring and experiencing your first geothermal bath.
Are you coming to Iceland for a conference or another event? Will you be going out for nights on the town in Reykjavik? What formal clothing will you need? Consider adapting your favorite dress or formal attire to include a light jacket or a plush, wool-insulated vest. Plenty of these can be fit to your style and color preferences. Or you can consider an extra layer underneath your cold weather dress like a Merino wool base layer.
A formal cold weather dress is an option you might not have thought of before. In Iceland, dresses for evening events are often long and made with a heavier material. These women’s dresses act as a sort of curtain that blocks a lot of the wind. For any event on a cooler summer evening, you’ll want to ensure a base layer for your legs, too, such as thick tights.
Summer dresses are popular for daytime excursions, too. A cooling summer dress should be made of a breathable material. Consider the materials that keep you cool in the summer.
How you get around matters when choosing your clothing, too. Reykjavik added extensive bike paths throughout the city in the last few years. Forms of transportation like electric scooters have become popular since Reykjavik does not have trains or trams. If you’ll be on a scooter, ensure you pack whatever protects you from the wind.
Finally, ask yourself what your priorities will be when you’re in the city. Reykjavik gives you endless opportunities for shopping and social excursions. Maybe your packing list is matched by a shopping list of the same length.
The lopapeysa sweater, for example, is a traditional Nordic sweater that is nothing short of gorgeous. It’s also characteristic of Icelandic wool and the country’s centuries-old wool attire. You can even visit any one of the Icewear stores in Reykjavik while you’re there, too. See the collection of authentic Icelandic products and designs in person. Don’t be shy—a shop will always be nearby.
Lightweight Summer Cardigan: The Perfect Summer Garment for Iceland
Let’s say you’re invited to an outdoor social or cook-out. You want to dress nicely but stay comfortable for the Reykjavik summer weather.
Your perfect option to dress up a little starts with a nice shirt or blouse. Add lightweight summer cardigan, and you’ll be just as comfortable as you are stylish.
Whether the event takes place at someone’s home or in a park, you’ll want to bring a light, packable jacket and something easy to stow it in, like a fanny pack or satchel.
Curiously, parks in Iceland are few and far between, so it’s more likely that the event will be at someone’s home. There are two reasons for this. First, just outside the city limits, the whole country is a breathtaking wilderness that puts any park to shame. Also, unlike other countries in Europe with a history of royal families organizing estates that are public parks today, Iceland has always been a natural paradise.
Think ahead when you’re invited anywhere and leave what you can in your hotel, but consider the hours you’ll be away. Will you be away into the evening? Will temperatures drop? Is there a possibility that it might rain?
Nothing helps you dream about the perfect day out in Reykjavik better than a lightweight summer cardigan. Lightweight wool sweaters have the advantage of providing natural temperature regulation, too. You get breathability and stay comfortable when the rain starts or the wind picks up.
Combine your shirt, blouse or lightweight summer cardigan with the Dadi Men’s Classic Raincoat or the Kjalar Men’s Thermore Vest with Valur cotton pants on days when rain looks imminent. This keeps you dry without overheating on a summer afternoon. The vest is made from 100% recycled thermal insulation and has welded seams, creating a superior waterproof seal. As for the pants, the cotton-polyester blend is called techfleece. It provides you with a total range of movement without feeling the legs weigh you down.
Start imagining your ideal summer outing in Reykjavik. In this example, you can see how it all comes together for an easy-going look that doesn’t heat you up or leave you unprotected during the Icelandic summer months.
